Golf writers doff caps to good deed

Column by Penny Parker

Posted
6/26/13

Cherry Hills Country Club General Manager Kevin Hood, who saved a man's life earlier this year, recently received the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association's Mary Bea Porter Award.

The honor was bestowed at the MGWA's 62nd national awards dinner June 18 in Tarrytown, N.Y. Hood was honored for saving the life of Cherry Hills member John Moore. Responding to a “code blue” call on Jan. 29, Hood administered CPR to the 87-year-old Moore, who had fallen and hit his head, causing his tongue to block his airway.

Hood performed chest compressions and other life-saving measures. After a 10-day hospital stay, Moore recovered and returned to Cherry Hills to enjoy his club membership.

Colorado Avid Golfer magazine first reported the news.

The award is named for Mary Bea Porter, a former LPGA Tour pro who left the course in the middle of a qualifying round of the 1988 Samaritan Turquoise Classic in Phoenix to save a drowning 3-year-old boy at a home adjacent to a fairway.

Hood, 52, is in his eighth year at Cherry Hills. He was a starting linebacker at the University of Colorado and former pro football player with the Denver Gold of the USFL.

Cabela's carves niche in area

Cabela's, the giant outfitter of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, will celebrate the official grand opening of its two Denver-area locations in Thornton and Lone Tree on Aug. 15.

Ribbon-cutting ceremonies hosted by Cabela's executives and special guests will begin at 10:45 a.m. at each location, and doors will open for business at 11 a.m. Opening day will begin a weekend-long celebration featuring outdoor celebrities, events for the entire family, giveaways and more.

The 110,000-square-foot Lone Tree store will be located in Douglas County in the new RidgeGate Commons development along Interstate 25 at RidgeGate Parkway.

The 90,000-square-foot Thornton store will be located in a new retail development along I-25 at 144th Ave.

Cabela's operates 44 stores across North America with plans to open an additional 16 over the next two years. More information at www.cabelas.com.

Peak 7 Vodka a big hit

Denver's own Peak 7 Vodka made a splash recently into the Colorado micro-spirits market. The seven-time distilled Peak 7, made at Mile High Distillery, comes onto the scene on the heels of a medal-winning performance at the 2013 Denver International Spirits Contest March 2 and 3.

Twelve prominent spirits professionals judged the double-blind tasting, and Peak 7 Vodka was awarded a bronze for best vodka.

“We are Colorado people who want to make a vodka that reflects the culture and vibrancy of Denver and the Rocky Mountains,” said Peak 7 co-founder Dave Collier. “We think Colorado's the best place on earth you can live, and the best place on earth to make great vodka.”

Peak 7 Vodka is currently available at Mondo Vino in Denver's Highland neighborhood, and at Fort Collins eateries Austin's American Grill, The Moot House and Enzio's Italian Kitchen.

“All things being equal, there are a lot of people who would rather buy locally made spirits,” Peak 7 co-founder Desi Lopez said. “We're delivering that high-end quality that people have come to expect from some of the major European brands, but we're doing it with vodka made right here in our home city.”

For more about Peak 7 Vodka, go to www.peak7vodka.com.

Vegan Pizza Day

Patxi's Pizza (pronounced PAH-cheese) celebrates Vegan Pizza Day with vegan selections available on June 29.

Patxi's Cherry Creek and Cherry Hills locations are offering a vegan pizza combo created by chef/partner Patxi Azpiroz, newly back from his food tour of the Amalfi Coast.

The vegan pizza combo is available as a whole pie or as a slice of the day in thin or stuffed crust, and feature Daiya vegan mozzarella, whole wheat crust, fresh spinach, crushed garlic and red onion.

The vegan slices of the day cost between $3.25 and $4.75 during lunch only and can be paired with a salad and soda for $9.99.

No, they don't want to start showing triple-X movies. Rather “the line” represents the $150,000 fundraising goal to buy four new digital film projectors — as Hollywood transitions to an all-digital format — for the DFS' Sie FilmCenter, The Ellie Caulkins (home of the Starz Denver Film Festival) and Red Rocks for the Film on the Rocks summer series. The total amount needed is $300,000 for the projectors for the Sie Film Center and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

To spur cash donations, DFS honcho Britta “The Jesus” Erickson stars in a three-minute promotional video spoofing the John Turturro role in the 1998 cult film “The Big Lebowski” with supporting actors stand-up comedian Chuck Roy and Will Morris, a manager at the Sie FilmCenter.

Erickson, complete with bowling shoes and a hairnet, licks the red bowling ball and bowls what looks like a guaranteed gutter ball, but the scene is cut before the ball reaches its destination. Meanwhile Roy and Morris drink beer, look on and hurl comments such as “you crossed the line!” That's the whole idea.

The DFS donation website — www.kickstarter.com/projects/1728212872/secure-the-future-of-the-denver-film-society?ref=live — will remain live through June 28. With eight days to go, more than $84,000 was pledged.

If you donate a minimum of $25 and the DFS reaches its $150,000 goal, backers will be treated to a special screening of “The Big Lebowski” on July 31 at Red Rocks.

FunnyorDie.com was launched in 2007 by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. It quickly became a hit thanks to the video “The Landlord,” which starred McKay's 2-year-old daughter, Pearl, who plays a cursing landlord trying to get rent money from Ferrell's character.

“We always love to push the comedy boundaries at Funny or Die and this festival will do just that,” said Dick Glover, CEO of Funny or Die. “It's the perfect blend of comedy and crazy that will for sure resonate with comedy fans looking for a one-of-a-kind experience.”

Doors to the show open at 5 p.m. Tickets are on sale starting at 10 a.m. Friday at www.livenation.com or www.funnyordie.com/oddball. A video announcing the tour is live on Funny or Die at www.funnyordie.com/oddball. For VIP box seats call 303-837-1024.

Local laughs

Local jokester and Comedy Works regular Phil Palisoul snagged first place at the 2013 Great American Comedy Festival recently in Norfolk, Neb.

Palisoul, a Denver native, beat out eight other professional comedians in the finals to take home the top trophy. The Great American Comedy Festival is a four-day event honoring Norfolk native Johnny Carson, the greatest talk-show host ever. The event features some of the best amateur and professional comedians from across the country.

Ironically, Palisoul tried to get on the “Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” early in the Denver comedian's career.

“And when I wasn't able to get on the show, I was really disappointed. So, to be able to come here and do this well in a festival for his name and honor is ... it's overwhelming really,” Palisoul told comedy.broadwayworld.com. Palisoul's prize was $1,000. Read more about Palisoul's victory at www.bit.ly/140oIjP.

Winners were picked by a panel of comedy club managers who judged the comedians on material, audience reaction and poise.

You can catch the Denver winner's act at 7:30 p.m. July 9 during Comedy Night @ West Woods at West Woods Bar & Grill, 6655 Quaker St., Arvada. Tickets are available at www.Eventbrite.com (keyword: West Woods). Tickets are $12 and there is a two-drink minimum for those who do not have dinner at the restaurant before the show.

The show is hosted by nationally touring comic Bob Meddles and is produced by Slap Happy Entertainment.

To market, to market

Spice up your Friday by visiting Denver's new definition of “market.” The Skyline Market is a food experience that offers artisanal products, ready-to-eat food and a farm-fresh experience all in one.

Take a break from the office grind to enjoy a variety of lunch options, or pick up something for dinner and grab a few things for the weekend. Enjoy live music and a drink with friends or co-workers over happy hour or learn more about the food surrounding you from local chefs.

The Market, on Arapahoe between the 16th Street Mall and 15th Street, opened June 14 and continues every Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Aug. 30. For more information, visit www.downtowndenver.com/Life/WhattoDo/SkylineMarket/tabid/617/Default.aspx.

Good eats on wheels

Looking for an alternative to a fast-food lunch? The sixth annual Civic Center EATS Outdoor Café launched earlier this month, and will continue to take place with an army of food trucks gathering in Civic Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays through September.

Shaded tables and an ATM are available. For more information, go to www.civiccenterconservancy.org/event-civic-center-eats-outdoor-cafe_31.html.

Overheard

Eavesdropping on a woman and a man at Sushi Den: “You drink tequila? What do you drink with your tequila?”

“Ice.”

Penny Parker's “Mile High Life” column gives insights into the best events, restaurants, businesses, parties and people throughout the metro area. Parker also writes for Blacktie-Colorado.com. You can subscribe and read her columns (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) at www.pennyparker.blacktie-colorado.com. Send her Mile High Life column tips and eavesdroppings at parkerp1953@gmail.com or at 303-619-5209.